Pittsburgh Opera: Rigoletto

RIGOLETTOMusic by Giuseppe VerdiLibretto by Francesco Maria PiaveBased on the play Le Roi s’Amuse by Victor Hugo • OCTOBER 10, 16, 18, 2026A fool’s errand.Sharp-witted court jester Rigoletto is the philandering Duke’s right-hand man, always quick to defend his patron’s womanizing and mock his master’s victims. But the joke is on him.The tables turn when Rigoletto and the Duke are both cursed for their wretched behavior. While Rigoletto instinctively fears the curse, the callous Duke remains unfazed, turning his rakish intentions toward Rigoletto’s daughter, Gilda.Naïve, sheltered, and easily charmed, Gilda falls madly in love with the Duke. Now, Rigoletto must plot and scheme to save his own daughter from the monster he had championed. Will Rigoletto have the last laugh, or will he be the punchline?